Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital CEO sues lawyer for defamation, seeks GH¢5 million in damages

Chief Executive Officer of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Prof. Otchere Addai-Mensah, has filed a defamation lawsuit against Lawyer Kwame Adofo, seeking GH¢5 million in damages.

The lawsuit, filed at the high court on Monday, May 27, states that Prof. Adofo made false and damaging statements that have severely tarnished Prof. Addai-Mensah's personal and professional reputation.

The disputed statements, which were made publicly, have purportedly caused significant harm to the plaintiff's standing.

Prof. Addai-Mensah is seeking GH¢5 million in damages, along with a retraction and a public apology from Adofo.

Adofo provided legal services for KATH until December 2023.

"The plaintiff claims that the post by the defendant on his Facebook wall has greatly damaged the plaintiff’s hard-earned reputation, and he has even been contacted by the King of the Asante on the matter," parts of the suit stated.

"The false and reckless statements made by the defendant continue to diminish his esteem in the eyes of right-thinking Ghanaians, and his integrity in academia has been significantly impacted."

This legal action comes after an earlier petition by Adofo to President Akufo-Addo, urging the removal of Prof. Addai-Mensah from office. Adofo alleges substantial evidence of financial mismanagement and incompetence against the hospital’s CEO.

In a previous interview with Asaase News, Prof. Adofo accused Prof. Addai-Mensah of misappropriating GH¢300,000 and violating procurement processes.

According to Adofo, these allegations raise serious concerns about the CEO's management capabilities and integrity.

"My petition was addressed to the president because he is the appointing authority," Adofo stated. "I made specific allegations against the CEO because I have evidence to support the claims. The first allegation involves GH¢300,000 in cash that the CEO has not been able to account for. As a concerned citizen, I petitioned the president because he said we should not remain silent when we witness people committing offenses."

In response, the hospital has defended its CEO, describing the allegations as baseless and inaccurate.

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